Rajasthan v Mumbai, 44th Match: Preview

Mumbai Indians' poor run in this edition of the Pepsi Indian Premier League has forced them out of the tournament and they can only play party-poppers now as the qualification of other teams for the play-offs will also be dependent on the matches they play. On the other hand, Rajasthan Royals have found the right combination and are sitting pretty in the points table. They would look to strengthen their hold in the top-four. With the Royals firmly in the hunt for a place in play-offs, it will be tough for Mumbai Indians to stop them. Surprisingly, these two teams will clash for the first time in this edition and it is also the final home match of the season for Rajasthan.

Mumbai Indians:

It has been a forgettable year for the defending champions. They had a disastrous outing in the first leg of the Indian Premier League (IPL) in the UAE, but found some form when they returned to their fortress, Wankhede stadium. Their batters have failed to string partnerships on numerous occasions. Rohit Sharma's form also has not helped them. They had bolstered their batting by taking Corey Anderson (currently holds the record for the fastest century in ODIs) during the auctions, but he has failed to deliver the goods when the chips were down. It has also been a mixed season for Keiron Pollard, but after having been Mumbai Indians' saviour on numerous occasions in the past he will be bitterly disappointed with his show in this edition. Only Lendl Simmons and Ambati Rayudu have been in the thick of the form, notching up fifties and delivering the goods. Rohit Sharma is yet to find consistent form in this tournament so far and that has added to Mumbai Indians woes.

On the bowling front, Sri Lankan fast bowler Lasith Malinga, who presently is the 3rd highest wicket taker in this season with 16 wickets, has left to join the Sri Lankan side ahead of their T20I match against England. It will be interesting to see who between Marchant de Lange and Krishmar Santokee gets the call to fill in the big boots of Malinga. Harbhajan Singh's bowling has improved by leaps and bounds. He has very often given them the breakthroughs in power-plays and has stifled the run flow in the middle.

Rajasthan Royals:

They are the team with the right combination and are performing according to the expectations. Some lesser-known Indian players have contributed in a huge way for the success of Rajasthan Royals in this edition. Karun Nair, Sanju Samson have been a revelation for them and they have supported Ajinkya Rahane perfectly at the other end. They experimented a lot in the previous match against Chennai Super Kings, where their batting frailties were exposed. Only Shane Watson could score freely against the two-time champions and barring his fifty there was no other significant contribution. Stuart Binny has had an ordinary tournament so far and they need the Karnataka all-rounder to find some form before the qualifiers.

Their bowling looks settled at the moment, with Pravin Tambe shouldering the responsibility well and helping bolster the Rajasthan attack. He is currently the 4th highest wicket-taker with 15 scalps in the tournament and the 42-year old would be keen on adding to his tally. He has been enormously consistent so far and that has helped the other bowlers as well. They also have the experience of Rajat Bhatia, who with his dibly-doblies has arrested the run flow in the middle. James Faulkner also has bowled well at the death and on the bowling front Rajasthan have covered all the bases.

Quotes:

"I wouldn't say I am a specialist batsman. At the moment, I haven't bowled at all in this tournament. But you never know, at times I might get called upon and take a few wickets and keep the runs to the minimum." Steven Smith feels he could add teeth to the Rajasthan's strong bowling line-up.